I stayed two nights at the Microtel (Dec. 25-27, 2008). The day that I checked in was Christmas day, so the Microtel was very quiet. I really enjoyed my first night there, because there was hardly anyone else there (except for another guest with a dog down the hall from my room). The room was very clean, quite new, and the HDTV was great! The bathroom was clean, the bedroom smelled new (all rooms are non-smoking), and since this is a non-gambling hotel, it's very peaceful and quiet. No casinos in the lobby means that when you wake up and walk downstairs, you won't hear sounds of the slot machines nor will there be the stench of cigars and cigarettes in the air. It's really a nice place for people who like to come back to peace and quiet after an eventful day at the casinos on the Vegas Strip.
Another plus was the free wifi internet which I used to check my flight status and emails. Breakfast was excellent (and free!), and consisted of a buffet of scrambled eggs, waffles, sausages, toast, various cereals, coffee/tea/milk/juice, yogurt, and fruits.
My second night at the Microtel was more noisy. Many families, including teenagers and children, checked in on Dec. 27th to get to Vegas for the New Years Eve celebration. The Microtel was noticeably more busy (long lines at breakfast). The walls are a bit thin, so I could hear screaming kids and teenagers running up and down the halls. The dog down the hall barked every time people walked by, so it was difficult to sleep.
Another thing -- this isn't a good place to stay if you don't a car.
The location is quite far from the Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Blvd.).
If you don't have a car, you must take walk to the bus stop across the street from the Microtel, and that bus will take you to the Main Bus Terminal. From there, you must take the Deuce Bus which is the bus that goes to the Vegas Strip. It takes about an hour to go from the Microtel to the North Strip (near the Wynn Hotel) during rush hour (7pm - 1am).
Other than the not-so-ideal location, and the screaming kids and barking dog, I like the Microtel. I would stay here again. The next time, though, I would rent a car.
Taxi cabs from the Microtel to the Vegas Strip are about $20 one-way to the central Strip.